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Storm Imagery In Othello

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“Othello” is one of William Shakespeare’s greatest plays. In “Othello”, the use of rich imagery and symbolism is significant in conveying meaning as it helps to establish the dramatic atmosphere of the play and reinforce the possible themes and highlighting the character’ attitudes. Through this, the audience is able to grasp a better understanding of the play. It is also his ability to manipulate language and conjure up startlingly accurate images and symbols which really make this play memorable. In particular, four interesting images of disorder, animals, heaven and hell and entrapment are all brought vividly to life. “Chaos is come again”, is a quote that epitomises the development of disorder throughout the play. It enables us, as the audience to be shown how disorder is apparent and consistent throughout the play. In Act 2, Scene 1 the Venetian ships and their Turkish enemies are at the mercy of a violent storm at sea. The storm has a practical function: it disposes of the Turkish menace, and thus of the political theme, and leaves Shakespeare free to concentrate on the domestic tragedy. However, the main significance of the storm is symbolic. The storm symbolises the violent emotion and …show more content…

Many references are made to animals in the play. The great majority of these are associated with unpleasant, cruel, painful sensations. These images originate with Iago, and are reflections of his mind and outlook. Iago has a degraded view of human nature. He finds no essential difference between men and beast. Love for him is a matter of animal instinct; it is “merely a lust of the blood and permission of the will”. Early in Act 1, Iago disgusts Brabantio, rousing his anger by using crude images of animals to inform him that his "daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.” Such a metaphor is designed to evoke a strong emotional response from the Venetian

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